Speeches

Last week, I was pleased to help launch the Lebanese Fun Festival here in Ottawa South. As you know, our friends and neighbours constitute one of the most vibrant Lebanese communities in Canada. In fact, the wonderful richness and diversity of Ottawa South, and the whole National Capital Region, was on full display.

Lebanese families have remained strong over the past year, in spite of ongoing tension in the Middle East. There have been tragic incidents of violence in Lebanon. In light of this, I appreciated the intrepid spirit of the celebrations this year.

Let me share a few remarks that I made in honour of the occasion:

Remarks at the Lebanese Fun Festival 2007

It’s great to be here with you tonight.

The Lebanese Festival is a true highlight of the summer calendar here in Ottawa, and it is my honour to attend the opening in my role as Member of Parliament for Ottawa South.

This city is blessed with such a vibrant Lebanese community.

You can see it and smell it and hear it everywhere. Delicious food, entertaining music that we will hear later on tonight – the art and dance, even the young soccer stars playing in the park down the street.

It won’t surprise you if I point out that Lebanese Canadians are among the most entrepreneurial in spirit, and do so much to strengthen the regional economy here.

Whether as lawyers or auto mechanics, restaurant chefs or newspaper editors, your work and your contributions to the intellectual, economic, philanthropic, and social well-being of our community are second to none.

From our universities to the public service, from medicine to international trade – everyday Canadians of Lebanese origin continue to light the way for the future of our country. …

Thank you so much for having me here to kick things off. Have a great festival!